The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-25

discovered, just rs baby startles the house,
hold with Il scream, followed by Il convul-
sive tit. As the last named is the most inn
portant member OF the family, this paper
will be devoted exclusively to him and the
occasion that has attracted our notice.
Commissions are a frequent disorder OF
childhood. Most acute icvcrs ~ this Pc
Rod of life begin with spasms, nervous af-
~fections are attended by them throughout
their course, exhausting diseases reach
their fatal termination in a convulsiye
seizure, and an acute attack OF indigestion
often manilests itself in the same way.
Commissions are, therefore, sometimes OF
grave import, and at others Of very little
consequence in themselves, although they
call attention TO something out OF order in
the internal economy.
at is better that n fever succeed TO
%convulsion than a c~onvulsion TO n fever"
said the father OF medicine more than
twenty centuries ago. In this aphorism
old HlippoCratcs meant 10 Indicate that in
the beginning of n disease commissions were
Of much less Significance than when occur
ring after the disease had made some pro-
gress. All the experience G. the medical
profession in the intervening ages confirms
this diCtum OF the wise Grecian. At tho
commencement OF n fever commissions arc
merely indications Of some profound dis
arrangement OF the nervous system, but
when the brain has become exhausted or
d~isorganized by high temperature, pois-
oncd blood and Other concominnts Of
fever, they are q signal OF immediate dan
ger.
In children, convukions arr more fire.
qucntly the result Of some irritation OF the
stomach and bowels han OF any other
cause. ANY substance difficult OF digestion
when taken into the stomach may he tho
cause Of commissions. Even clothed milk
in Il weak stomach may bring on an attack.
Most frequently, however. commissions
occur at an age when various articles, not
suitable IN children, are liable to be swal-
lowed by them. Thus the evidences Of
peanuts, apples, bananas and similar arti.
cles are not rarely brought 10 light 10y an
emetic administered for Il conyulsiye nj
tack, although just before the mother,
grandmother. or maiden aunt has avowed
and declared that the child hasn't eaten
u thing"
On the night after Christmas, however,
no questions need he asked il a child is
seized with commissions. The presumption
amounts practically TO u certainty that the
attack Il due to some irritant in the stom-
ach, and at once indicates the appropriate
remedy.
There may or may not be prcmonitions
of the coming trouble. Sometimes tho
child Is "out Of sorts for several hOurs
before the attack comes on. There IL
drowsiness, irritnbility. restlcssncss, moan
ing or starting during sleep, or the thumbs
are drawn into the palms Of the hands and
the toes turned under. The eyes have @
staring, vacant look, but this IL not char
no,eristic, In fact, little dependence can
be placed In these signs. ~ they arc often
present when no commissions follow.
In many cases the attack II sudden.
The child cries out, loses consciousness and
becomes rigid. The eyes ARE turned up
under the upper lids, showing only the
white portion OF the cye-balls, or move
from side 10 side or upward and down.
ward. The rigidity Of the body Is soon
followed by alternate contraction and re-
Taxation OF the muscles. often involving
the entire body. There Is sometimes froth-
ing at the mouth, aud the sudden opening
and closing of the jaws may nip the edges
Of the tongue and color the froth ON the
lips with blood. The arms and legs are
icrkcd about rapidly in various directions.
The breathing Is irregular and sometimes
seems 10 cease entirely; but after a short
lNltlNNit NllAH NVltdIH w WV NlNi''H
spectators a long timc, n deep, signing in
spirtion breaks the suspense aud often In.
dicatcs tho end Of the CONFUSION.
No matter TO what cause IN attack OF
commissions niny he due, the best immc-
diaie remedy isto place the child In a warm
bath. The batl. should be large enough
to allow the entire body Of the child, ex-
ccpt the head, TO be immersed In tbs
water. which should he nj temperature
between gOp and lOO'.
The child should be allowed "a remain
In the bath for ten or fifteen minutes. In
this timo there will generally bc some Tc-
Taxation Of the muscles, when tho patient
Ia taken from the water n at once
wrapped up in n shawl or soft blanket. No
Time should DO wasted in drying or dress
ing the child. As soon M the ability 10
swallow returns an emctic should he adj
minislcred. Mustard or table salt, n tea.
spoonful Of either in n cup OF warm water,
will be promptly effective. II ready ut
hand, syrup Of ipccac in dessert or table.
spoonful doses, repeated every ten minutes
until free vomiting follows, Is usually very
) efficient. As soon AZ vomiting comes on
tho commissions generally cease, and may
! not return.
, IL IL usually advisable to administer n
dose oil ciuslOr OH, makn'hla' VI VliitI mnu
purgatiyc after the emctic has acted. This
aids in removing all irritant matters from
, the intestinal canal, and by the following
day the patient is generally ready TO repeat
the experience.
The thoughtful mother, In making her
Christmas presents, will, In anticipation Of
contingencies, add these two article TO her
! list, two ounces OF syrup Of ipecac, one
, ounce OF castor oil, and before retiring on
, Chfi.imns nighl she will gee that the larg.